James Alyn McNamara is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan, where he served in the Department of Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry and the Department of Cell Developmental Biology in the Medical School. He is also a Research Professor Emeritus at the Center for Human Growth and Development. McNamara has a longstanding research focus in clinical orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, having maintained a large colony of rhesus monkeys for over 20 years, contributing significant findings through his work in electromyography, cephalometrics, and histological analysis. He has published over 240 scientific articles in refereed journals and has contributed to 65 books. His expertise has led him to deliver lectures in 35 countries. McNamara received numerous awards, including the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award and the James E. Brophy Distinguished Service Award. He has also been involved in teaching graduate orthodontic programs and has supervised patient care at the orthodontic clinic. He served as the course director for various orthodontics courses and has been a prominent figure in scientific advancement in orthodontics through his roles in various orthodontic societies.